Sen. Deb Fischer

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the VA's transportation grant program to better serve rural veterans. It expands eligibility to include County Veterans Service Organizations and Tribal Organizations, increases the maximum grant amount to $80,000 for recipients needing to purchase ADA-compliant vehicles, and updates the definition of "rural" to align with USDA's RUCA system. The changes directly affect rural veterans by improving access to transportation for medical care and benefit appointments through local service providers. Funding is no longer capped at fixed annual amounts, instead using "such sums as may be necessary" to support these services.

Maddy summarySRES 544 designates the week beginning February 5, 2024, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." The resolution recognizes Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) for serving over 230 federally recognized tribes, preserving indigenous languages and cultural traditions, and providing accessible education in economically isolated areas. It calls on the public and organizations to observe the week with activities supporting TCUs, which offer open-enrollment higher education to American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students. This is a symbolic recognition resolution with no direct policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2024 prohibits federal agencies from funding or supporting research using human fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions. It permits federal research on tissue from miscarriages (before 20 weeks) or stillbirths (20 weeks or more), requiring compliance with existing Public Health Service Act regulations. The bill also bans soliciting or knowingly acquiring tissue obtained from induced abortions. These changes amend the Public Health Service Act to restrict federal research to tissue from natural pregnancy losses, not intentional procedures.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 30, 2024, as "Help America Vote Day" to honor poll workers and promote voter participation. It specifically recognizes the service of poll workers, encourages eligible citizens to serve as poll workers for the 2024 elections, and urges voters to access local election office information via their websites. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, acknowledging election workers and promoting civic engagement without altering voting laws or procedures. It directly affects the public by highlighting election worker needs and providing a date for awareness.

Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act This bill modifies the employer tax credit for paid family and medical leave. Specifically, the bill (1) makes such credit permanent, (2) allows the credit in states or localities that either mandate or do not mandate paid family and medical leave, (3) allows employers to claim the credit for a portion of their paid family leave insurance premiums, (4) reduces the minimum employment period eligibility requirement, and (5) requires the Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service to conduct targeted outreach to employers and other relevant parties regarding the availability and requirements of the credit.

Maddy summaryS.1108, the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023, repeals the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of people who die after the bill's enactment. It also modifies the gift tax by establishing a $10 million lifetime exemption (adjusted for inflation) and creating a new tax rate schedule for gifts. This bill directly affects high-net-worth individuals who would have paid estate or gift taxes on large transfers of wealth. The changes take effect after the bill's passage, with the exemption adjusted annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryThe MOMS Who Serve Act of 2024 establishes a 5-year pilot program (2025-2029) to reduce perinatal mental health conditions among pregnant and postpartum military members (within one year of childbirth) and their dependents. It requires the Department of Defense to integrate evidence-based prevention programs into existing military healthcare services at diverse military treatment facilities, removing barriers like childcare access and rank differences to encourage participation. An advisory committee with military members, experts, and service organizations will guide implementation and address stigma, while mandatory annual reports track participation and outcomes by demographics. The program ends December 31, 2029, with a final report assessing its effectiveness and recommending whether to expand it.

Maddy summarySRES 523 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate it to the House of Representatives and send a copy to his family, and instructs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally commemorates Kohl's service and legacy. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators and passed unanimously on January 11, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 3624, the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act, restricts U.S. federal funding for organizations that perform, promote, or support abortions internationally. It prohibits federal funds from being provided to foreign or domestic groups (including NGOs and multilateral organizations) that conduct abortion services, provide related counseling or referrals, develop abortion tools, or financially support such activities. The bill also blocks funding for groups that fail to maintain strict separation between abortion-related work and other programs receiving U.S. aid. This directly affects foreign aid recipients and domestic organizations administering international programs that involve abortion-related services.

This resolution repeals a 1905 prohibition on flowers in the Senate chamber. Since 1923, flowers have been occasionally allowed in the chamber, primarily to honor deceased Senators.